Scene75/BEAT Multi-Year Sponsorship Generates Excitement in Brunswick

By Hannah Wasylko, BEAT reporter

At its January Board meeting, the Brunswick Board of Education unanimously approved a sponsorship between the Brunswick Educational Access Television BEAT Video Program and Scene75 Entertainment Center.

Funds from the six-year, $12,000 sponsorship will be used to replace aging video equipment for the BEAT, a nationally-recognized, award-winning student-managed and self-funded extracurricular program within the district that teaches “backpack journalism” and TV production skills to students in grades 6-12.

According to terms of the contract, the BEAT will display Scene75’s logo hourly on Cable Channel 22, which the BEAT Program manages, and throughout the BEAT website (www.thebeat22.com). Also, the BEAT will change the name of its popular “SportsBEAT Game of the Week” broadcasts to include Scene75’s logo for two calendar years.

“We’re very excited about our partnership with Scene75,” said John Wasylko, BEAT advisor and Channel 22 manager. “The funds from this sponsorship will help us to upgrade our studio and on-location video equipment, much of which is eight years or older. Plus, we can expand our coverage of Medina County, spotlighting more events and non-profits, which provides more journalistic opportunities to our students.”

In 2016, Scene75 Entertainment, located also in Dayton and Cincinnati, announced plans to expand to Cleveland. Presently, it is converting an 80,000 square foot shopping center into the newest and largest indoor entertainment center in the area. The new facility will be located at 3688 Center Road, Brunswick, and is expected to open in Spring/Summer of 2017.

Scene75 prides itself on its involvement in the communities it serves. It plans on being involved through a variety of special activities, including an annual trick-or-treat, contributing to education through their “learn to earn” program, hosting a special needs program the first Thursday of each month, and much more.

“Northeast Ohio is a special area, and to have the opportunity to add some serious excitement and energy to such a great place is very important to us,” said Robert Sakosky, Scene75 General Manager. “We hope everyone is as excited as we are.”

“Being an active member in the community is important to us,” said Paul Winkler, Scene 75 Assistant General Manager. “We are always finding ways that we can help with our programs, events, and fundraisers. To us, it’s important that we are more than just a place for fun, but a brand that cares about the community and the memories we can help create.”

Hannah Wasylko, a junior at Brunswick High School, is one of over forty student "backpack journalists" (grades 6-12) in the award-winning
BEAT Video Program. The Program is sponsored by Scene75, Plum Creek Assisted Living Community, Baskets Galore, Medina County Arts
Council, Medina County Women's Endowment Fund, Brunswick Eagles 3505 Brunswick Rotary Club and Lorain County Community
College at Midpoint Campus Center.

BRUNSWICK, Ohio - Dozens of Brunswick school students are learning real-life lessons in journalism. Roughly 40 students in grades 6 through 12 make up The Brunswick Educational Access Television Program or "The Beat."

Riley Haas is one of those students. Some of her stories have already made news in the local papers. Now, for the first time, Haas has started capturing community events with a camera.

Just recently, she spent part of her weekend covering the Brunswick Hills Township Fire Truck Housing Ceremony. The Township got two new trucks and it was Haas' idea to cover the story. "Coming up with ideas is kind of hard, especially because a lot of people have the same idea," said Haas.

The program started 15 years ago and now it is run entirely by the students. "I'm in charge of teaching first-year students about journalism," said sophomore Alexis Gemelas.

The students are required to produce six print and video stories a year. Some of those stories end up in local papers. The program and students have won national awards for their work.

Perhaps surprisingly, a good portion of students in the program don't want to be journalists. Gemelas, for example, wants to be a pediatrician. "Communication skills in any field is essential," said Gemelas.

Allison Rhoades is a junior and the technical manager. She teaches the younger students how to use the equipment and runs the show as a director. She has been in the program since she was in sixth grade. "When you think about it's amazing," said Rhoades.

The program is run through foundation grands and business sponsorships.

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